Character Work: Homelessness, Activism, and Hope in Portland

At Friendly House. Portland's social safety net is more profoundly compromised than ever, with no accountability for the compounding trauma and wastefulness. Recent data indicates that over 7500 Portlanders are living on the streets — over 1400 entering homelessness every month — with only 1500 beds after the Mayor's aggressive defunding of outreach and supportive programs. Since the 70s, Portland's mayors have promised to end homelessness. How do we show integrity and care while effectively managing resources? Paul Susi will draw from over 25 years of experience in nonprofits attempting to address this slow-motion humanitarian disaster, sharing insights and experiences and a template for positive action.